HOT TOPICS

SPOTLIGHT AGENCIES

English as social leveller

274

Written By murali772 - 20 January, 2010

Bangalore Democracy Awareness education knowledge Media Reports chauvinism Language and Culture literacy

The Supreme Court may have touted English as the flagbearer of knowledge economy but the role of the Queen's language as a "social leveller" is witnessing a renewed push for English education among weaker sections.

Six decades after independence, there is a newfound zeal among intellectuals that English will not only equip SCs/STs for "new economy jobs" but also aid them in breaking free from the pernicious caste system.

UP CM, Mayawati's move to make English compulsory in primary education in the state stands out in the face of opposition from well-heeled rivals who see it as "cultural subversion". SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and MNS leader Raj Thackeray have made a strong pitch for mother tongue over English.

The pro-English mood has its roots in Ambedkar who saw "English" and "urban landscape" as the twin tools for social liberation. For him, English was the game changer - before its advent, dalits saw their destinies as "preordained" which later they saw as "man made". Educationist Bhalchandra Mungekar says, "Jobs create vertical and horizontal social mobility while caste, which is immobile, played an ascriptive role. With English came new skills and the system is fast becoming achievement-oriented."

For the full report in the TOI, click here

Food for thought for namma 'Mukhyamantri Chandru' - or, does he want to ordain that Kannadiga's just stick to raagi mudde'?

Muralidhar Rao

 

COMMENTS

'morrow

rohith - 12 January, 2013 - 17:49

Mr Murali,

Thanks for raking this up again, nearly after 2 years I can say. But you'll have to wait at least until tomorrow for my response to this.

gnite,

Rohith

misleading media reports & people ready to get confused by them!

rohith - 13 January, 2013 - 18:31

Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India do not provide for equality of opportunity for all citizens based on language, yet if recent media reports are to be relied upon, observations made by a Karnataka High Court division bench after hearing a PIL seeking implementation of Sarojini Mahishi Varadi seems to have misconstrued this minute detail of the said Articles.

Read further, here.

multi-dimensional "national interest"

murali772 - 14 January, 2013 - 08:20

@ Rohith  -  Do try presenting your idea of what is in "national interest" to the higher courts - let's see what they have to say.

PS: I didn't quite understand the need for your advance notice, informing that you will be responding in a days' time, though! Besides, any number of times within the past two years too, I have repeatedly been commenting, on what I see as chauvinistic tendencies, whenever I come upon them.

two years, in vain?

rohith - 14 January, 2013 - 10:58

Dear Murali,

You brought this topic up on a nearly 2yr old thread, and I dint know your close monitoring of related matters elsewhere. Hence I posted a precursor to my response.

BTW, based on your comment, you've lived in Benglur for two more years since this thread started, but you continue to have the same opinion about demands for rights of localites. That is a pitiable state, in my opinion.

Thanks for your comment about courts. Nice joke!

Think practically says the HC bench

murali772 - 12 January, 2013 - 15:13

"English has became a global language. So think practically. In this globalized era, the scope for development is very high and we cannot create barriers... We cannot direct private companies to provide jobs for only Kannadigas. Though the state cabinet approved the Mahishi report owing to political reasons, we cannot accept such recommendations and pass orders," the bench added, reserving its verdict.

For the full report in the ToI, click here.

Well said, your honour.
 

PRAJA.IN COMMENT GUIDELINES

Posting Guidelines apply for comments as well. No foul language, hate mongering or personal attacks. If criticizing third person or an authority, you must be fact based, as constructive as possible, and use gentle words. Avoid going off-topic no matter how nice your comment is. Moderators reserve the right to either edit or simply delete comments that don't meet these guidelines. If you are nice enough to realize you violated the guidelines, please save Moderators some time by editing and fixing yourself. Thanks!